E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
E950 (Acesulfame K / Ace-K) is a calorie-free, heat-stable synthetic potassium salt sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. INS 950, ADI is 9 mg/kg bw/day, famous for blending with sucralose and aspartame to produce sugar-identical taste curves.
E951 (Aspartame) is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide yielding ~200x the sweetness of sucrose. INS 951, ADI is 40 mg/kg bw/day, the historic sweetener in Diet Coke and tabletop sweetener packets.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E950 | E951 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 950 | INS 951 |
|
Functional Class
|
Non-Nutritive High-Intensity Sweetener | High-Intensity Artificial Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
9 mg / kg body weight per day | 40 mg / kg body weight per day (US FDA: 50 mg/kg) |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
200x Sucrose | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
0.0 kcal / g (Excreted unchanged by kidneys) kcal/g | 4.0 kcal / g (Negligible at use levels / ~0.1 kcal per serving) kcal/g |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
High-affinity agonist for T1R2 + T1R3 sweet taste receptor dimer | Stimulates T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors with clean, sugar-like taste profile |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Diet sodas (Coke Zero), sugar-free energy drinks, baked goods, sugar-free chewing gum | Diet sodas, tabletop sweetener packets (Equal), sugar-free gelatin desserts, drink mixes |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan, Halal, Kosher, Diabetic Safe, Dental Safe (Non-cariogenic) | Vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, Contains Phenylalanine (Warning for PKU patients mandatory) |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.800) | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.804) |